WHY IT MATTERS
Your decisions about sex will have far-reaching
effects on your future.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Imagine this scenario: Heather has been seeing
Mike for only two months, but she feels as if
she’s known him forever. They text each other
constantly, they talk for hours at a time on the
phone, and they can even finish each other’s
sentences! But now Mike wants more than
conversation.
During the past two months, Mike and Heather
have done nothing more than hold hands and
briefly kiss. Heather doesn’t want to go further.
But she doesn’t want to lose Mike either. No one
makes her feel so beautiful, so special. ‘Besides,’
she tells herself, ‘Mike and I are in love . . .’
If you are old enough to date and you were in
Heather’s situation, what would you do next?
STOP AND THINK!
If you defy a physical
law, such as the law of
gravity, you will suffer
the consequences. The
same is true if you defy
a moral law, such as the
one that states: “Abstain
from sexual immorality.”
—1 Thessalonians 4:3 .
What are the
consequences of
disobeying that
command? The Bible
says: “Whoever
practices sexual
immorality is sinning
against his own
body.” ( 1 Corinthians
6:18 ) How is that true?
Researchers have found that many youths who
have had premarital sex usually experience one
or more of the following consequences.
DISTRESS. Most youths who have engaged in
premarital sex say that they regretted it
afterward.
DISTRUST. After having sex, each partner begins
to wonder, ‘Who else has he/she had sex with?’
DISILLUSIONMENT. Deep down, many girls would
prefer someone who will protect them, not take
advantage of them. And many boys find that
they are less attracted to a girl who has given in
to their advances.
The bottom line: If you give in to premarital sex,
you degrade yourself by forfeiting something
precious. ( Romans 1:24 ) Your body is far too
valuable to give away!
Show that you have the strength of character to
“abstain from sexual
immorality.” ( 1 Thessalonians 4:3 ) Then, if you
do marry one day, you can have sex. And you’ll
be able to enjoy it fully, without the worries,
regrets, and insecurities that are so often part of
the aftermath of premarital sex.— Proverbs 7:22,
23; 1 Corinthians 7:3 .
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Would anyone who truly loves you endanger
your physical and emotional well-being?
Would anyone who truly cares for you tempt
you to jeopardize your relationship with God?
—Hebrews 13:4 .
FOR GIRLS ONLY
A number of boys
have said that they
would never marry a
girl they have had sex
with. Why? Because
they prefer someone
who is chaste!
Does that surprise you—perhaps even anger
you? Then remember this: Movies and TV
shows glamorize teen sex and make it look
like harmless fun or even true love.
But don’t be naive! Those who would try to
coax you into premarital sex are only looking
out for their own interests.— 1 Corinthians
13:4, 5 .
FOR BOYS ONLY
If you are dating, ask
yourself, ‘Do I really
care for my girlfriend?’
If your answer is yes,
how can you best
show it? By having the
strength to uphold
God’s laws, the wisdom to avoid tempting
circumstances, and the love to look out for
her interests.
If you have such qualities, then likely your
girlfriend’s feelings will be similar to those of
the morally upright Shulammite who said:
“My dear one is mine and I am his.” ( Song of
Solomon 2:16 ) In short, she will love you
even more!
TIPS
If someone tries to coax you into sex by
saying, “If you love me, you’ll do this,” firmly
reply, “If you love me, you won’t ask!”
When it comes to conduct with the opposite
sex, a good rule to follow is this: If it’s
something you wouldn’t want your parents to
see you doing, you shouldn’t be doing it. Do You know that? Sex is a gift from God
for married persons
only. Premarital sex is
an abuse of that gift.
It’s like taking a
beautiful garment
someone gave you and
using it as a cleaning
cloth.
ACTION PLAN
How will you respond if someone asks
you to have sex?
What circumstances would make it more
difficult for you to say no?
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